“Ready!”
“I guess it’s time to go then.”Whether he was ready or not, Daya and Veda would be waiting for them to begin the ceremony.
Chapter 20
Ancienttreestoweredinquiet protection around the sacred site.Colors flashed as memories clouded his vision.
Leaves sparkling with iridescent colors, shimmering brightly.Delicate blue leaves covering a tree branch.Daya’s deep brown eyes.
He shook his head to clear his mind as he set Opal down to go with the other children.A wild whisper called to him through the trees, tugging him to one in particular.It felt monumental.Familiar.But he was equally certain the sight was new to his eyes.
The largest tree in the circle was split near the base, the two halves entwining into one central knot toward the top of the trunk.Unable to stop the compulsion, he pressed his hand to the knot.Power zapped him, searing through him.His hair stood on end and his chest expanded as a familiar presence began to rise.
An insistent pull on his soul made him turn away from the ancient tree.Connor’s breath hitched and gravity fell away.The entire meadow faded from view until all he saw was Daya.
Dressed in a soft gold robe, she made her way toward him.Amber rays of sunset filtered through the trees.The light sparked and danced around Daya, weaving around her as if welcoming her to the meadow.
Her eyes locked with his, and he felt the natural world around them move.The trees, grass, animals all aware of her, reaching out to embrace their guardian.The energy in the sacred space rose and sang with intensity.
Connor’s heart tripped, its rhythm stopping and restarting at a new pace as he yearned for her.His mate.Whether he ever saw her again after this, there would be no one else for him.His soul was completely hers.More than anything, he wished he could connect with her just once.Their souls sang to one another, but the wall around her soul held her for the mountain, separating her from him.
Somethingother, an encompassing presence, invaded his senses.A shiver of knowing ran down his spine, making him straighten.Everything seemed to hum and spark, the living things around him enriched with a magic he’d never encountered.Hannelore.Its presence, or soul, had joined them.
The opposite of a shadow, everything the mountain’s presence encompassed brightened, glowing to his eye with vitality.The same thread wound through Daya.Binding.Infusing her, and every living thing, around them with the essence of the mountain.Beside her, Veda had a faint tendril of the same light.A connection, though not yet binding.
The weight of observation, of coming judgment, strummed through his veins as the presence loomed over him.Not negative exactly, but not welcoming either.
Daya was so certain that death awaited him if he challenged the mountain, but he wasn’t wasting the opportunity to communicate with it.
Why won’t you accept me?Connor asked, throwing the question toward the presence with intent.
Why should I?
I belong with her.We are meant to be one.He knew it, without a doubt, and pressed that knowledge forward ferociously.
It is not enough.
Satisfaction that the mountain didn’t deny his claim on Daya was tempered by grief and anger, that the admission wouldn’t change their grave future.
I am willing to stay.My sword and shield hers.To do your bidding.He would give up everything for Daya, if he could stay and be hers.
The feeling of observation ran over him again, assessing.Deep disappointment followed.It is not enough.
The denial eviscerated him, encouraging the feeling of failure to permeate his being.
You’d really kill me, if I tried?he pressed.
You would die.
The mighty presence faded slightly as tiny hands tugged at him.
Picking Opal up again, he moved with heavy steps into his place in the circle, on Daya’s right-hand side.Veda took the place on her other side, dressed in a matching golden robe.
Reining in his emotions, he buried them deep.He didn’t want even a hint to show in his eyes.This was important to Daya, and to Veda, so it was to him too.He refused to let the interplay with the mountain influence the evening.The healing Daya and the mountain offered was a gift.One his girls and the other children and adults needed.
“We come together now to begin the healing journey.”Daya’s warm voice whispered over his senses as she introduced herself as guardian and began the healing ceremony.Opening her arms, she raised her palms to the sky.“We come to the heart of the mountain as a place of peace and healing.Of transformation.And most importantly, of community.The mountain calls us all together.”
Veda’s nervous eyes sought his as Daya continued, looking for support before her role would begin.Her teeth worried her bottom lip.
